Our study analyzed the characteristics and the screening process of community reports of suspected child physical abuse or neglect screened out and not investigated by a statewide child protective services department.
Fifty reports of suspected child physical abuse or neglect at New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) Statewide Central Intake out of over 10,000 screened out reports received during 1999 were randomly selected. These screened out reports were quantitatively analyzed by type and description of allegations, demographics of involved persons in the report, report processing time, degree of information gathering prior to making a decision and family history of previous involvement with CYFD. We also qualitatively assessed characteristics and elements of the narrative report as received by the intake social worker for common patterns of events and similar circumstances leading up to prompting reporting. Finally, we evaluated the social work supervisors' narratives explaining reasons for screening out each report.
Through understanding better those reports of suspected child physical abuse and neglect that do not meet criteria for investigation, the community at large can begin to design strategies and means for providing earlier intervention and prevention to better protect child safety.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: 1. Name three general reasons for screening out reports of suspected child physical abuse or neglect used by a statewide child protective services department. 2. Recognize the importance placed on definite allegations, dates and examples in the information reported to the state agency when reports are screened. 3. Begin to identify conditions of alleged child abuse or neglect that may not meet the threshold for screening in by child protective services and recognize the need to develop alternative interventions for those families.
Keywords: Screening, Violence Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.